I fold compassion and vengeance bleeds through

It's a perfectly crap-tastic day here in Seattle, 20-some-odd degrees and a thin layer of brittle white pseudo-snow or slick black ice all over everything. At least that's how it is up here, on the hill where I make my home. Not a pretty sight, frankly. Not fluffy and Wonderlandy. Just crusty, cold, and thin.

However, there is reason to be optimistic. I got up earlier today than I have in a while, so the whole day is before me … and it's one I have sort of "off," given that I'm waiting on something to arrive in the mail before I can start my next day-job project. Hypothetically, I can take some time to Be A Writer.

But in real life, I am much more likely to look around and remember that my apartment is kind of filthy, and I need to go grocery shopping rather desperately, and laundry is starting to pile up, and I still need to scan/file some expenses, and I have some bills to look up and pay, and about half a dozen important-ish emails that have been sitting in my inbox entirely too long … and … and … yeah.

Every now and again, one needs a "catch-up" day. I just wish that all my catch-up days (as of late) were not the sort wherein I've caught up on everything but writing work. But such is life. And here, have some links:

The Living Dead 2 is up for a Dead Letter Award – This is relevant to my interests because my short story "Reluctance" is featured therein. And hey, if you click through to vote in that handy-dandy ticky-box ballot, please consider throwing some love toward a great flick called Zombies of Mass Destruction. In short, it's the story of an Iranian-American family trapped in the midst of a zombie outbreak which very shortly becomes blamed on terrorist activity … and/or a pair of gay men who get stuck in the midst of a zombie outbreak which a town full of fundies blames on sinful behavior. But it's a comedy! And a very fun example of the genre.

Techniques in Writing Alternate History – Some thoughts on the subject from the King of Elfland's Second Cousin, using some of my works (and a bunch of other people's) as jumping off points and/or illustrative fodder.

Helium digs on Bloodshot – Wherein the reviewer attempts to co-opt other people's thumbs, so that she can offer the book five thumbs up rather than the traditional two. How could I not link that?

Old Man's War – The Movie! – Three fat, happy cheers to my pal John Scalzi, whose novel has been picked up (and is in the process of being developed for film) by Paramount. Wolfgang Petersen is attached to direct, and David Self is adapting the story. ALL HAIL. This is exceedingly cool news, and I can't wait to see the result!

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]